Dan and Katie

In case you weren't already aware, we are so lucky to live by these awesome folks! We absolutely LOVE living so close! In fact, when Dan and Katie were away to Utah for just a few weeks we started having withdraws. Here are some pics of the last two times we were able to go and stay with them for the weekend!
Here are the pies we made after the going to the Fourth of July Parade! It was so much fun just to be together! Later we went to a barbecue and played on the slip and slide. I love America!

Tyson wanted to play the fishing game but they didn't have any batteries. What's a physics degree for if not making your own battery--using the wall and random equipment from home? I definitely did not think it was going to work, but it did! They are both amazing! Tyson adores his aunt and uncle! I can't believe how much Austin has changed since July! This is him laughing hysterically at Katie who is amazing with my kids! I can't wait to see them again! We love you guys!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Tyson had a great birthday this year! I can't believe he is three years old! Every time he talked with his Grandma Francis on the phone he would tell her all he anticipated his birthday would be...which was great because that way I knew his expectations!

Birthday Breakfast of cinnamon toast! I can't complain!

Opening gifts: Laura--how did you know the absolute perfect gift? He was so excited to play with these!

Putting together the leggos! Thank you Laura and Eli!!

Yes, sunglasses are necessary even when you are inside :)

Lunch at the french fry store :)

I can't get enough of this cute boy!

He is so much fun...and I think he's adorable!

He had a few friends over last minute to play pin the tail on the giraffe (Tyson's favorite animal of the moment) and eat cake. It was really fun!

He was too scared to be right by the cake when the candles were lit, but to my surprise he did blow them out! He had been looking forward to this moment for months!

If you would like to be impressed by cakes, don't look here! Instead, check http://russellandheidi.blogspot.com/ (that's my sister-in-laws fantastic blog...she makes a lot of things a lot prettier because she can!) All I had to do was invent orange out of the random food coloring we had left and make it look sort of like a football--Tyson's orders :) I probably shouldn't have even posted a picture of the cake! It was, however, eaten by everyone! You can't go wrong with boxed funfetti cake--for three year olds :)Tyson was spoiled by his grandparents! He was so excited by the basketball hoop from his grandma and grandpa Francis (used several times a day every day--one time he told Christian he couldn't play because he would miss! We had to explain that daddy just needed some more practice :) ) He also got a remote controlled buz lightyear toy from grandma and grandpa Coltrin which he also thought was amazing! Most of all he enjoyed the "big stack of books!" that came! He LOVES to read and calls these new ones his birthday books :) Thank you so much for making his day special We felt so loved!!
Playing in the packing peanuts--notice the underwear!! Tyson told me he would not wear underwear until he turned three, so on the morning of his birthday he was out of a diaper and in underwear! He did a fantastic job! The next day he told me he wanted his diaper again since he was just two. I told him that meant we would have to give back all of his toys and books. He decided he could be three after all! His stomach is probably one giant gumball since that has been his reward for using the big boy potty--thank you Josh! We have since resorted to saving up beans in a jar which when full will mean we can go to the movies. He's really excited about that and it's better for his teeth! He only had two accidents and is going through the night. After months of torture, he has finally done it! We are so proud of him!

Opening his birthday cards with daddy!

Another shot with the underwear! He loves playing with Austin! He will wake up and climb in his crib when he hears him cry--giving me a few extra minutes of shut eye! What cute boys I have! We are so very lucky! Happy Birthday Tyson! We love you!

Austin

Our little 7 1/2 month old started crawling! He's 8 months now and much faster. Here's his first moments. Check out that tongue!


He's the happiest, most content baby I can even imagine and Tyson is wonderful with him. We love them both so much!

Montana!

After we were in Utah for ten days, Christian came up to help out! Getting there was a miracle! Somehow we got two kids, two car seats, a carry on, a backpack, a diaper bag, and Tyson's backpack through an airport, on a plane and through the airport again with only two hands! Thankfully both of my boys were amazingly good and I only had to carry Tyson from the airplane to baggage claim. Don't ask me how we did it, but we did! I was able to drag Tyson in his car seat at the very end. Needless to say, I was grateful for Christian's help when he arrived the next week! After visiting with family for a few days, we drove up to Montana and got to see more family. It was a wonderful trip!
My older and beautiful sister and her little boy, Eli (3)
My first college roommate (my sister can convince me of anything. I hadn't decided where to go to college and she called and said she had reserved a spot for me in a house with her for the summer. I'm so glad she did because I loved rooming with her and I loved BYU!
Beautiful Montana! This is right outside Great Falls where my sister lives!

Tyson enjoying the scenery :)

Austin sporting the pink and black nursing cover! It was a little colder than Texas!
On our way to Montana we stopped at Big Springs--the place where the Snake river just comes out of the ground! It was beautiful and HUGE! I'm so amazed by our planet.

Tyson trying to stay warm!
Tyson and his hot Dad!
Beautiful Montana
This is right outside my house...how did we ever move away?
I still can't get over how breathtaking it is out there!
Jumping on the trampoline at Josh and Darcy's house!
Isn't he cute?
Tyson with his cousin Aubrey!My mom and Austin. She was so nice to take us through the museum on a special tour. She taught us all about frogs (which Tyson LOVED) and Andre worked the blacksmith shop. It was really fun!
Christian on his Birthday! Happy birthday Babe!! Lookin' good!!
My mom always made us these signs growing up...every year! It was cute to see she'd made one for Christian!
Darcy made us a tooth cake in honor of Christian's birthday as well as a cheesecake since that's Christian's favorite. I think every person needs a Darcy in their life! She's terrific!
Nobody seemed to notice Tyson snitching the cheese cake til it was too late! Happy Birthday Christian! And thank you to everyone who made our vacation wonderful! We love you all and are so grateful for the huge support you are in our lives! Hopefully we'll see you soon!

Utah trip week 2!

Great Grandma is a real champion! Her dog, Maggie and cat, Kitty are always with her keeping her warm!
Aunt Laurie (who came out to help us when Tyson was born) took us to a cool aquarium that Tyson loved! She is the sweetest most wonderful person! In fact, at church this perfect stranger came up and started telling me how wonderful she is! Thank you for everything Laurs! It was sure great to see you!
Tyson on a giant frog at the aquarium--don't worry, it's fake!
The Francis boys! They really do all have a resemblance!
It was so nice to see Grandpa and Grandma Francis for dinner. Our first kiss was right outside of their house! They have always been so kind to play games, invite us for dinner, send Christmas and birthday gifts, etc. It was fun to catch up with them again!
The purpose of our trip was to see Grandma Sumsion and it was so great. She has lost a lot of weight but she was so good to read to Tyson and just hang out with us. We love you Grandma!
Great-Grandma smiling with Austin!
Christian's mom was so great with Tyson! It snowed and he got to build his first snowman with Grandma!!The finished product! I think my mother in law is so beautiful!

Utah trip!

My Grandparents are amazing. They let me stay at there house for two days and even babysat my boys so I could go to a wedding. The crazy thing was they are 81 and 90 and I wasn't even worried about them! I love them so much!
Here they are with my boys!
Grandpa and Austin. They both have the best smiles!
Grandma and Austin! She was incredible with him!
My grandparents planned a cousin lunch while I was there so I would get the chance to catch up with my awesome cousins Linda and Cheryl. It was crazy with all of the kids running everywhere but it was such a delight to see them!
Dad and Austin! He's still never changed a grandkids diaper...just wait Dad!!
Austin and Brooke were so cute together! She was the sweetest little girl!
Holding his head up like a champ!
Tyson was a little bit overwhelmed with all of the commotion. Here he is watching at a distance!!Lana and Nancy in the kitchen. Lana was my very best friend growing up and it was so good to see her! I can't believe that yesterday we were dreaming about what it would be like to be 14 and now she is pregnant with her third (her first little girl) and we're living States apart. I'm so grateful for her though! You're the best Lana!
Leslie was so kind to let us stay with her family for 10 days! I can't believe it! She is the most gracious host and kind friend. It was so fun to get to see Lana and her boys and catch up with all of the Raymond clan. I love all of them so much! Thank you Leslie!
I love this picture!
Jake is so fun with kids! It was great to get to see him and see how much he has grown since his mission! He is amazing with kids and adults. I'm so happy he's my brother!
Great-grandpa and Austin!
Great-grandma and Tyson--she was amazing with him!
Here's grandma on the floor putting together a puzzle with Tyson. She is definitely still young at heart! What an amazing woman!
Dad met us for breakfast on his way out of town. It was so good to see him. Thank you for everything dad! We love you! One of my very favorite people from college--Alyssa Roth! We met her for ice cream at this fantastic yogurt place--spoon it up!
She is one of the funnest people I've ever met and changed my college experience!
Tuki Tuki!!